Greeting Speech by the Rector Dear friends, I am glad to welcome you at the site of the Saint-Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPSUACE) which is the oldest higher education establishment of its profile in Russia with a rich history and traditions. SPSUACE is the biggest University in the North-Western Region, it is the leading higher education establishment in the field of education and research. The University was founded in 1832, and 09.05.07 we celebrated the 175(th) anniversary, of SPSUACE. All these years the University has been committed to providing an excellent education to highly qualified, competitive specialists who can make competent decisions in most complex conditions of the marketing mix. Our graduates are always in demand at the labour market, they manifest a high-level professionalism in construction industry and adjacent fields in the new market economy. The University has an outstanding faculty of over 630 people many of whom are recognized for their scholarship. It numbers about 90 Doctors of Science and 360 Ph.D.s. There are four Corresponding Members and seven Councillors of the State Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences. 25 people are members of various social Russian and foreign Academies. There are approximately 8400 students, among them there are over 280 foreign students. There is also a Postgraduate Department, theAdvanced Training Institute where specialists having higher education diploma can receive an additional education or retraining. Practical results of research work carried out by the University`s scholars in the field of architecture and construction are widely applied both in Russia and abroad. Scientific and innovation activities of the University are aimed at fundamental and applied scientific research work development , turning out of science intensive production, satisfying of contemporary production and society needs, perfecting of the education system.      One of the leading kinds of the University`s activity  is international cooperation. SPSUACE is implementing its foreign affairs policies creating bilateral agreements with higher education establishments and scientific institutions abroad, realizing student and teaching stuff exchange programmes  and joint scientific projects and programmes. A significant number of foreign graduate and postgraduate students and trainees come to SPSUACE to study and enrich their expertise. Here are regularly held international scientific conferences and seminars. I would like to wish our prospective students a successful enrollment to the University which will entitle them to receive a top-quality higher education and have a wide range of opportunities  for further perfection in the chosen field. Ye.I. Rybnov Rector of the Saint-Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering